Browns Radio Set For 2013

The Cleveland Browns have set their 2013 radio programming schedule, and the team’s affiliate list on the Cleveland Browns Radio Network.

The 23 affiliates across the state – in addition to three Cleveland flagship stations – include no stations owned by Clear Channel.

That was entirely expected, since Clear Channel’s rock/talk WMMS/100.7 and talk WTAM/1100 lost game rights to a combination of CBS Radio sports WKRK/92.3 “The Fan”-classic rock WNCX/98.5 and Good Karma sports WKNR/850 “ESPN 850”.

The list also includes no Dayton affiliate. Clear Channel sports WONE/980 in that market carried the games for years. Unless there’s some sort of unexpected last minute deal (Main Line sports WING/1410 “ESPN 1410”, perhaps?), it appears Cleveland’s NFL team won’t be on the radio in Dayton.

And yes, NFL teams are allowed to affiliate in other team’s markets (Dayton is in the Cincinnati Bengals’ area). Up here, Massillon’s WTIG/990 “ESPN 990” has long carried the Bengals in the heart of Browns Country.

The release lists the weekly programming for the team in the 2013 season, and contains numerous pairings across the CBS/Good Karma divide.

For one, “92.3 The Fan” evening host Ken Carman will pair up with “ESPN 850” competitor Je’Rod Cherry (“3 Deep” co-host and ex-NFL star) for the first pre-game show, the two hour “Browns Game Day”, on WKNR.

Two hours later, “Countdown to Kickoff”, also on WKNR, will feature “ESPN 850” midday host Tony Rizzo (“The Really Big Show”) and Cherry teaming up with one of Rizzo’s “92.3 The Fan” time slot competitors, Jeff Phelps of “Baskin & Phelps”.

Note that the official pre-game shows are only listed on WKNR and the Browns Radio Network. “92.3 The Fan” will do its own pre-game programming.

But after the game, it’s WKRK stepping up as the official post-game flagship for the network, with a two hour post-game show hosted by Phelps and 92.3 colleague and ex-OSU/NFL star Dustin Fox (co-host of the Fan’s “Bull and Fox” with Adam “The Bull”). Like WKRK in pre-game, WKNR will go off on its own for post-game coverage.

WKNR will carry a “preview” show weekly with the station’s Michael Reghi and Browns network host Vic Carucci.

And the two Cleveland sports stations and the network will simulcast the weekly show with Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski, Tuesdays 7-8 PM in pre-season and Thursdays 7-8 PM in the regular season. The host pairing consists of two hosts normally heard on each Cleveland station in the evenings, “92.3 The Fan” evening host Carman, and “ESPN 850 WKNR” “Cleveland GameNight” co-host Reghi.

Speaking of Michael Reghi, he’s the answer to the question “who does radio play-by-play in pre-season, when Jim Donovan is doing the TV games?” The role, when Clear Channel had flagship status, had been handled by WTAM sports director Mike Snyder.

WNCX/98.5’s role, as expected, is limited to the gameday broadcast…though presumably the station will talk up the Browns and have guests on its local shows all season long.

So, here’s the official Browns radio programming and affiliate list. Note that we presume the team goofed on the frequency of its Sandusky-area affiliate…it should be WMJK/100.9, not 94.3….

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BROWNS, ESPN 850 WKNR, CBS RADIO’S 92.3 THE FAN & PNC BANK CLEVELAND BROWNS RADIO NETWORK TO PROVIDE EXTENSIVE WEEKLY PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT 2013 SEASON
Jim Donovan and Doug Dieken to Call Games

BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns, ESPN 850 WKNR, CBS RADIO’s 92.3 The Fan and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network announced on Monday their 2013 season programming that features more than 23 scheduled hours of Browns coverage each week, including more than nine hours dedicated to the Browns on gamedays.

The seven weekly shows, plus Browns game broadcasts, contribute to the more than 1,000 combined hours of Browns-related content expected annually on the club’s all-sports radio partner stations and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network.

Leading the unique local triplecasts on ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan and CBS RADIO’s WNCX (98.5 FM) are long-time voice of the Browns Jim Donovan (play-by-play) and analyst Doug Dieken, with Jamir Howerton once again reporting from the Browns sideline. Michael Reghi will handle play-by-play duties during the preseason.

Details are listed below on the seven regularly scheduled weekly pregame and postgame shows, including information on The Rob Chudzinski Show that will air simultaneously on ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network.

The Browns in March announced a long-term partnership with local all-sports stations 92.3 The Fan and ESPN 850 WKNR, and incorporated both in the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network. The partnership increases community outreach and further connects these stations and the Browns to the community through joint philanthropic endeavors, including an annual radiothon.

The PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network encompasses 23 affiliates plus three flagship stations (ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX). It carries Browns elements and content throughout the year, providing the team’s fans with unprecedented access and exposure throughout the year.

GAME DAY PROGRAMMING:

Browns Game Day (two-hour show beginning four hours before kickoff)
ESPN 850 WKNR and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Ken Carman and Jerod Cherry

Carman and Cherry get gameday started, featuring analysis and live reports from members of the Browns broadcast team.

Northeast Ohio Ford Dealers Countdown to Kickoff (two-hour show beginning two hours before kickoff)
ESPN 850 WKNR and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Jeff Phelps, Tony Rizzo and Jerod Cherry

Phelps, Rizzo and Cherry host a two-hour pregame show, featuring respected Cleveland football voices, including Donovan, Doug Dieken, Vic Carucci, Jamir Howerton and more. The program will be broadcast from BrownsTown at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, prior to all home games.

Browns Football (game broadcast)
ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Preseason talent: Michael Reghi (play-by-play), Doug Dieken (analyst) and Jamir Howerton (field reporter)

Regular-season talent: Jim Donovan (play-by-play), Doug Dieken (analyst) and Jamir Howerton (field reporter)

The Cleveland Browns Postgame Show (two-hour show following the game’s conclusion)
92.3 The Fan and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Jeff Phelps and Dustin Fox

Phelps and Fox take fans through all the postgame reaction, including live comments from Head Coach Rob Chudzinski and other members of the team. Fans will also have their voices heard through phone calls and social media. The program will be broadcast from BrownsTown at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, prior to all home games.

WEEKLY PROGRAMMING:

Cleveland Browns Daily, Driven by Liberty Ford (Monday-Friday, 1-3 p.m.)
ESPN 850 WKNR and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Vic Carucci and Nathan Zegura

Carucci and Zegura host this daily two-hour program from the Cleveland Browns training facility, regularly providing an inside look, detailed analysis and expansive access to the team and Browns personnel.

The Cleveland Browns Preview Show, Driven by Liberty Ford (Mondays throughout the preseason, 7-8 p.m.; Wednesdays throughout the regular season, 7-8 p.m.*)
ESPN 850 WKNR and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Michael Reghi and Vic Carucci

Reghi and Carucci host this hour-long weekly preview program, which features a Browns player each week, as well as insights and analysis from other members of the Browns broadcast team.

* The Cleveland Browns Preview Show will air on Monday, Sept. 30 in Week 5, Tuesday, Nov. 26 in Week 13 and on Thursday, Dec. 26 in Week 17.

The Rob Chudzinski Show, Presented by Allstate (Tuesdays throughout the preseason, 7-8 p.m.; Thursdays throughout the regular season, 7-8 p.m.*)
ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Michael Reghi and Ken Carman

The only place to catch the Browns head coach each week as Chudzinski delivers exclusive insight into the Browns’ preparation for the upcoming game.

* The Rob Chudzinski Show will air on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in Week 5, Thursday, Nov. 27 in Week 13 and on Friday, Dec. 27 in Week 17.

Cleveland Browns Weekend (Saturdays 6-8 a.m.)
92.3 The Fan and the PNC Bank Cleveland Browns Radio Network

Hosts: Vic Carucci and Nathan Zegura

Browns Weekend wraps up the best of Cleveland Browns Daily, Driven by Liberty Ford, in this two-hour weekend format.

THE PNC BANK CLEVELAND BROWNS RADIO NETWORK AFFILIATES:

CITY
CALL LETTERS
FREQUENCY

Akron
WAKR
1590 AM

Akron
WONE
97.5 FM

Ashtabula
WFUN
970 AM

Bucyrus
WQEL
92.7 FM

Canton
WHBC
1480 AM

Canton
WHBC-FM
94.1 FM

Celina
WKKI
94.3 FM

Cleveland
WKNR*
850 AM

Cleveland
WKRK*
92.3 FM

Cleveland
WNCX*
98.5 FM

Columbus
WZOH
95.5 FM

Dover
WJER
1450 AM

Findlay
WFIN
1330 AM

Fostoria
WFOB
1430 AM

Kenton
WKTN
95.3 FM

Lima
WWSR
93.1 FM

Mansfield
WRGM
1440 AM

Mansfield
WVNO
106.1 FM

Marietta
WJAW
100.9 FM

Sandusky
WMJK
94.3 FM

Toledo
WPFX
107.7 FM

Uhrichsville
WBTC
1540 AM

Wheeling (W.Va.)
WKKX
1600 AM

Wooster
WQKT
104.5 FM

Youngstown
WBBW
1240 AM

Youngstown
WYFM
102.9 FM

*Gameday flagship station